A written rap battle

You took my skeleton hand

down streets

where red and pink lights

had twinkled days before

Now naked buildings

shivered in the cold

but my hand was warm in

your gloved embrace.

Back in your room

you told me a story

of colours like ice,

nazi dictators

and a place where everyone could

read each other’s thoughts.

Then you looked at me,

and I knew.

You promised me tiles to build

a safe place to hide.

You showed me another way,

A way to be free like you.

Later,

In my dreams

we were covered in snow

Tiles painted with ravens

cracked like mirrors.

But when I woke

you were laughing

Everything around you

was pink

and orange

and I was yours.

______________________

Excerpt/ Reflection

You were part of my history

a sticker on a timeline

forever seventeen

drenched in mythology

Ten years later

developed and dated

thawed out and dreamless

Your ageing ages me.

You reside

inside my head

in a box

with all the others.

I’ll take you out and

glorify you periodically

but only if you stay

confined and asleep.

And don’t forget:

the story is all mine

What you remember different;

didn’t happen.

You weren’t meant

to turn out like this,

and I’m ashamed

because neither was I.

___________________________________

The Meat Show

You said
let’s swap eye colour
Just for a day
but first
we swapped skins.
You pinched mine
until I bruised
and I gave you a fright.
Later, I wore you
Like a hair-slide
and you stepped out
with me
tied around your neck. 


_________________________